If I wanted pretty arty rubbish I would buy a Mac, I think Microsoft are moving in the wrong direction and I think sales will reflect that. PC uses want functionality and comfort not something that looks all nice but hurts your hands after a few hours.

Also if Microsoft thinks throwing around designer names is going to increase sales then they are clearly living in their own little dream world (this is not the fashion industry, nobody cares!!).

If I wanted pretty arty rubbish I would buy a Mac, I think Microsoft are moving in the wrong direction and I think sales will reflect that. PC uses want functionality and comfort not something that looks all nice but hurts your hands after a few hours.

Also if Microsoft thinks throwing around designer names is going to increase sales then they are clearly living in their own little dream world (this is not the fashion industry, nobody cares!!).

Personally ... I think this is brilliant and I hope to see MORE of this type of work and not less. You don't have to be a Mac user to appreciate the value of good design. Good design makes tools more functional when done right and adds beauty to our surroundings.
Personally I dream that Apple would make hardware for Windows. It looks stunning in my home. Yet I struggle to find a PC that I do not want to hide away in a closet or under a desk. Bringing talent like Phillipe to Microsoft is a GOOD thing.

Not everyone will want one ... not everyone will buy one. But there is a class of consumer out there who is underserved and never gets to enjoy using a great OS on beautiful hardware because there are few options for them.

I think that sums up my opinion. I would like to know how practical the mouse is, ease of use, etc.. Currently, I use an MS Bluetooth mouse and like most things about it (although a re-charging station would be nice..).

If Microsoft is going to go in the artsy direction, they need to have matching keyboard / monitor / computer, etc.. After all, the same people that are most likely attracted to the new-age mouse would not want to put it next to a square-box-of-a-computer.

Lastly, if Microsoft is trying to attract the more artsy people, like graphic designers, etc.., they need to convince them that not only can they do the same things on Windows that they can with a Mac, but that it is better for them to do so.. I.E., Microsoft's
own "switch" campaign.

I wish them the best of luck, however. I can't stand most of the Mac designs.. Gimme a plain old box with a monitor..

I personally don't mind the color or basic shape of the mouse. It looks more distinctive than the Intellimouse Explorer sitting on my desk with its eerie red glow coming from under it. I do have one comment about it, and I have the same problem with
my Logitech mouse I use at home. The thumb button is placed right where I tend to rest my thumb leading to accidental clicks. The Logitech goes one worse and makes the button slightly undersized in height so when you DO mean to click it its very awkward.
I like the button placement on my Intellimouse (dual extra buttons on either side of the mouse raised up so I have to hit them on purpose). I do miss being able to map the right extra button to bring up the Explorer window though. The last version of the
mouse software I installed got rid of that VERY useful feature.

If it has enough buttons for gaming, looks like modern art, and doesn't kill my hand after a couple hours then I'm all for it. Ergonomics does not have to mean the end of pleasing visual design.

Are those two hemispheres mouse buttons? Does this make the mouse easier to use? Why should someone who cares more about the comfort of the design (MouseMan) rather than how "high tech" it looks buy this mouse? Is it infrared? Is it Wireless? Does it have
a Lithium Polymer battery?

lenn wrote:

Manip wrote:

If I wanted pretty arty rubbish I would buy a Mac, I think Microsoft are moving in the wrong direction and I think sales will reflect that. PC uses want functionality and comfort not something that looks all nice but hurts your hands after a few hours.

Also if Microsoft thinks throwing around designer names is going to increase sales then they are clearly living in their own little dream world (this is not the fashion industry, nobody cares!!).

Personally ... I think this is brilliant and I hope to see MORE of this type of work and not less. You don't have to be a Mac user to appreciate the value of good design. Good design makes tools more functional when done right and adds beauty to our surroundings.
Personally I dream that Apple would make hardware for Windows. It looks stunning in my home. Yet I struggle to find a PC that I do not want to hide away in a closet or under a desk. Bringing talent like Phillipe to Microsoft is a GOOD thing.

Not everyone will want one ... not everyone will buy one. But there is a class of consumer out there who is underserved and never gets to enjoy using a great OS on beautiful hardware because there are few options for them.

Bravo ... more more more.

Personally, I think Dell has the best designs on the market.

Jaz wrote:

I love the look of the stark mouse, i think it's really nice, and i can't wait to get my hand on it so i can see how nice it is to use, or horrible i guess.

I really like seeing what you guys think, like and don't like... one day we'll hit the holly grail of mice that EVERYBODY will have no option but to immediately fall in love with...

A few replys to some of the comments:

Worldwide availability? It actually launched in Europe first, but it should be soon available in the US. Other markets? Typically we do a pretty good job of covering the Americas, Europe and Asia so I think it should be soon worldwide available. (sorry, engineering
is my area, not logistics)

Is it confy to hold? do you accidentally push the buttons?

Those were actually two of the main concerns of that product. Some of the discussion points with Stark were making the living hinges so that you would NOT accidentally press the buttons. You guys will tell us if we got it right

Does it look cool?
You bet! we've never put that many cool colored LEDs in anything before... and the wheel is translucent to match the color... very very cool looking if you ask me... BTW it still has the RED light underneath (the one that is used to track)

How functional is it?
Well it only has 3 buttons (left right and wheel), and the wheel is the regular wheel (not the smooth scrolling, side tilting one), the big strength of this mouse is the design.

Do we think cool looking mice sell well? We really hope so... and we'll find out

You may also want to check out the new skins of the wireless mice, I know that at least 3 new ones that are out there...

Just saw that mouse at the Partner Conference here in Toronto...was more impressed with the next wireless keyboard/mouse combo coming out for $79. I will be using them with all the systems I build from here on!

All I want is the functionality that was in the 4.12 mouse drivers to be restored in the 5.0 drivers. That's all. No fancy artsy mouse can compensate for cutting 50% of the functionality of the underlying driver.